Nike/US Lacrosse Midwest Region Report

Player of the Week

Jack Bergmann, Detroit Country Day
(Mich.)

It's not every day you get to snap a 12-year streak with a
single score, but when Bergmann notched an overtime goal against
Brother Rice (Mich.), he helped Detroit Country Day become the
first Michigan team to beat Brother Rice since 2002. Not to
mention, his goal puts the Yellowjackets' record at 8-1,
well-positioned to make a strong playoff push.

Brother Rice coach Ajay Chawla told local press after his team's
stunning loss to Detroit Country Day (Mich.) that he was focused on
Brother Rice's poor start, falling behind 3-0 after a quarter, but
confidence could be a concern as well for a team that isn't used to
losing. Meanwhile, the Shamrocks are off to a 5-0 start with
20-plus goals in three of those performances. Despite impressive
wins over Clarkston (Mich.) and Brighton (Mich.), they have yet to
face a foe of this caliber.

Midwest Region Top 10

1. Culver Academy (Ind.), 14-0Since returning from
Maryland, the Eagles have doubled up on seven straight opponents,
including Brother Rice (Mich.). Their last two victories —
over decent squads — entered the absurd variety: 23-3 over
Kiski Prep (Pa.) and 27-3 over Glenbrook North (Ill.).

2. Detroit Country Day (Mich.), 8-1The Yellowjackets' sole
loss came to Culver Academy (Ind.) and they just picked up a
stunning overtime victory over Brother Rice (Mich.). The spotlight
will follow them onto the road, where they will play their next
four.

3. Brother Rice (Mich.), 6-2The Warriors now face
probably their sharpest challenge with Ajay Chawla as their coach.
A blowout loss against Culver Academy and their first in-state loss
in 12 seasons has taken some of the luster off a magnificent
start.

4. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 7-0The Golden Bears ravaged
through a five-game home-stand, doubling up on every team they
faced. Now, they hit the road, including a premier mid-week contest
against fellow undefeated squad Worthington Kilbourne
(Ohio).

5. Worthington Kilbourne (Ohio), 9-0The Wolves' defense has
been stout, keeping every opponent in the single digits and
surrendering just 4.5 goals per game over their last six. That will
be tested by their next three foes, all Buckeye State elite: Upper
Arlington, Dublin Jerome (Ohio) and Olentangy (Ohio).

6. Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.), 5-0The Shamrocks enter the
most imposing part of the their schedule, with back-to-back games
against Brother Rice (Mich.) and Culver Academy (Ind.), undefeated
and averaging 18 goals a game.

7. Loyola Academy (Ill.), 7-2There will not be many easy
wins the rest of the way for the Ramblers, with West Genesee
(N.Y.), Saint Viator (Ill.), Culver Academy (Ind.) and Forest Hills
Central (Mich.) among their upcoming opponents. This team showed
grit last week with an overtime road win over Lake Forest (Ill.)
and a tight victory over New Trier (Ill.).

8. Dublin Jerome (Ohio), 6-1Since a 10-6 loss to Upper
Arlington (Ohio), Dublin Jerome has won five straight, including an
overtime victory over New Trier (Ill.) and a four-goal win at
Olentangy (Ohio).

9. New Trier (Ill.), 5-5The Trevians challenged
themselves with a grueling schedule and have paid the price at
times. But make no mistake, this team is a couple close overtime
contests from being 7-3. Their five losses are by a combined nine
goals to teams with a combined 35-9 record.

10: Solon (Ohio), 7-1The Comets skated through a
three-game road trip, crushing Shaker Heights (Ohio) and earning
closer wins against 6-2 Cleveland St. Ignatius (Ohio) and 4-3
Hudson (Ohio). Their last three games were all decided by a single
score.

Notes

Brother Rice (Mich) has lost consecutive games for only the
second time this decade.

***

Glenbrook North had surrendered a measly 6.1 goals per game
before yielding 27 to Culver Academy (Ind.).

***

Many teams have been beaten up by Culver Academy this season.
Most have come back just fine, with teams posting a 7-5 record in
the game following their loss to Culver.

***

Last year's Evanston (Ill.) team started out 3-0 before losing
eight of their final 14. Included in those were a 14-2 loss to
Glenbrook North (Ill.) and a 20-1 loss to New Trier (Ill.). Thus
far, the Wildkits played to a much better result against the
Spartans. Can they at least give the Trevians a fight on May 1? Can
they avenge an overtime loss to Glenbard West (Ill.) two days
later? That will tell us a lot about where this 6-1 program is
heading.

***

Christian Brothers (Mo.) may be approaching a spot in the Top
10. The Cadets are 11-1 with a road win at state powerhouse MICDS.
They won despite allowing 10-plus goals for the fourth time this
season. Seven goals in the second half, as well as seven goals from
a pair of juniors in Parker Cordova and Cameron Corona, led the
way. A very young Christian Brothers team can be expected to
contend in 2015 as well as 2014.